Kos Karetsas has been discharged from the hospital after being admitted earlier in the week due to circulatory issues experienced during a UEFA Champions League match, according to multiple news reports. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder was stretchered off the pitch during the first half against Villarreal after sitting down and becoming unable to continue his athletic efforts, as documented by official match accounts.
Circulatory Issues Linked to Dehydration During Match Intensity
The health scare that rattled Borussia Dortmund during their European fixture has a clear, physical explanation. According to statements given by his mother, Irena Kitsinis, to the publication Nieuwsblad, the sudden circulatory problems stemmed from dehydration combined with high athletic intensity. Medical experts note that insufficient fluid intake during intense competitive stress can trigger sudden physical weakness and rapid heart rates, leaving athletes unable to sustain their output.
“Kos has got to leave the hospital, which is a real relief,” Irena Kitsinis told Nieuwsblad. She added that the club has maintained an attitude of strict medical caution, running a battery of exhaustive examinations to rule out any underlying health risks before clearing him for a full return to competitive action.
Borussia Dortmund Adopts Cautious Approach for Recovery Timeline
Borussia Dortmund management has moved swiftly to prioritize the player’s long-term health over immediate squad needs. Speaking earlier in the week, Borussia Dortmund sporting director Ole Book provided an update on the situation. “Given the circumstances, he is doing well,” Book said, emphasizing that the club would wait for all medical test results to clear before planning any physical reintegration. “It is clear that we are now prioritizing the health of the man and the player.”

That cautious stance means Karetsas will miss immediate domestic fixtures. The upcoming Bundesliga fixture arrived too quickly for the midfielder, keeping him sidelined from the weekend squad as he continues his recovery at home.
Scheduled Appearance at the Cegeka Arena in Belgium
Though he will not feature on the pitch for Dortmund this weekend, Karetsas is already planning a public return to football environments across the border in Belgium. According to family confirmations, the former KRC Genk player is scheduled to visit the Cegeka Arena on Sunday to perform the ceremonial kickoff for his former club’s league fixture against KAA Gent.

“He will certainly come to the KRC Genk-KAA Gent match,” his mother confirmed, signaling that his recovery is progressing well enough to allow for public appearances and a warm reception from supporters of his former team.
Next Confirmed Checkpoint
Karetsas is expected to make his scheduled public appearance at the Cegeka Arena on Sunday to observe Genk’s home fixture against KAA Gent, while Borussia Dortmund medical staff monitor his gradual return to training facilities in the coming week.
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